Whispering Pines Mysteries Box Set 3

by Shawn McGuire

  “No one else knew anything. It was just going to be me and Gav. I’d do this and satisfy the bet, but Didi was pitching a fit about me leaving for a weekend. Guess I should’ve seen that as a sign, but like I said, she’d been good for so long. Anyway, because she was coming, Kendra had to come. The original plan was for me to start a fight with someone and Gav would be the hero and break it up. No big deal. Since the other guys were here with us, Gav decided to make it bigger. He told me to harass those girls, figuring other dudes would come to their defense. Then, once it turned into this big fight, Gav would step in and take off his hat. That was the sign for us to stop fighting.”

  “He didn’t count on Silence and her friends not needing help from anyone, did he?”

  Sundstrom shook his head. “No, he didn’t.”

  But why did he choose them? Because they were alone without a man to defend them? No, couldn’t go there. Tripp had warned me about trying to figure out the criminal mind. Ultimately, it didn’t matter to me why they did what they did as long as I got the cuffs on the right people in the end. Sundstrom confirmed I could let Kendra go. She was completely innocent. Good. I hoped she ran far away.

  I brought him back to the cell and asked Didi to come with me.

  “Not without Lars,” she said evenly and with absolute conviction.

  Knowing what I now knew about her, if I pulled her away from him, she might turn back into the hysterical woman I’d seen in the hotel room earlier. Sundstrom agreed, so I brought them both into the interview room, where Jagger was still at the ready should his services be needed, and positioned a second chair next to the one Sundstrom had been sitting in.

  Didi sat mute and motionless as I played the video. Sundstrom winced and turned green. Then, as I had at home, I backed it up and played the pertinent part again.

  “It’s obvious you did it,” I told her. “Not only do I have a video of you committing the crime, I have your prints on the weapon, and Lars said you confessed to him. You’ll be charged with aggravated assault, second-degree murder if Silence dies. Do you have anything to say in your own defense?”

  She still said nothing, so I appealed to Sundstrom to get her to talk.

  “Didi, baby, go ahead and tell her what happened.”

  Her eyes locked onto the voice recorder sitting on my knee. After a very long thirty seconds, she said, “She was upsetting everyone.”

  “Who was?” I asked gently.

  “That woman. The one who wouldn’t talk. Even when the knife went in, she didn’t make a sound.”

  I winced internally, staying externally steady. “Is that why you stabbed her? To get her to speak?”

  Didi laughed. “No. I told you, I stabbed her because she was upsetting everyone. She was wooing the men with her big blue eyes and shiny white smile. They couldn’t help themselves. That’s what Cheryl said. ‘Darryl can’t help himself when he gets around a pretty woman like that.’”

  That was exactly what Cheryl said. She just didn’t mean it in that context.

  “I’m pretty sure she cast a spell on them.” Didi finally looked at me. “I know you got witches up here. Witches cast spells. Silence must be one of them.”

  I wasn’t sure if this was delusional thinking from the disorder or if she really believed it. Plenty of tourists stopped here believing the Whispering Pines witches wore pointy black hats or could fly or whatever other crazy thoughts they had in their heads.

  “Silence was just a visitor here like you,” I told Didi. “She wasn’t trying to cast a spell.”

  “You didn’t see her,” Didi insisted, anger turning the previously child-like woman into a Fury.

  Motion in the doorway caught my attention. I glanced up to see Deputy Atkins and a female deputy I didn’t recognize standing there. I acknowledged them with a half nod.

  “She was trying to steal our men,” Didi continued. “She was taunting them with her quiet ways and pretty face.”

  “You thought she was trying to steal Lars, so you stabbed her?”

  She sat tall. “It worked, didn’t it?”

  There was no point in continuing this conversation. Doctors would check her out and likely conclude, as Sundstrom suspected, she had stopped taking her medication.

  I led them both back to their cell. After introducing myself to Deputy Thomas, I took her and Deputy Atkins to my office and filled them in on the details.

  “We’ve got it from here,” Atkins told me when we’d covered it all. “Any word on the victim?”

  “She’s stable as of yesterday. Her friends got clearance to visit her in the ICU today. They also have the good news of the perpetrator being behind bars.”

  “Positive news like that might make a difference,” Deputy Thomas said.

  Atkins agreed. “Let’s get these four in the squads.”

  “Three,” I corrected. “Kendra Grossman isn’t guilty of anything but bad taste in men.”

  Deputy Thomas laughed a little too hard at that.

  I went to Lindsey’s cell and opened the door. “Ms. Grossman, you’re free to leave.”

  She stood in front of Lindsey with her hand out. “Keys, please.”

  “You ain’t taking my truck,” he said flatly.

  “How am I supposed to get home?” she asked.

  “Not my problem.” He looked away from her like a spoiled little boy. My guess was that they broke up last night.

  “The keys are in with his personal effects.” I went to the evidence locker and came back with four paper bags. I handed Kendra the one with her name on it and held up Lindsey’s. “If you want, we can tow your truck. We’ll put it in lockup. There will be a towing fee, of course, and a daily impound fee. Could get pricey. Especially if the courts don’t get to you for a while.”

  He grunted. “Fine. But I better find it in my driveway when I get home or I’ll send the cops after you for theft.”

  I walked Kendra to the front door. As soon as I opened it, Meeka burst out and headed for the trees. “Sorry your weekend was such a disaster.”

  Kendra shrugged. “It woke me up. Lesson learned, I guess.” She patted her front jeans pocket. “I’ve still got the number for your mom’s spa. I’m going to pack up my stuff and then head down to Madison. Think I’ll go visit my mom and get my hair fixed.”

  “Good luck.” I turned back to find Atkins putting zip cuffs on Lindsey.

  “Want to let the other two out?” he asked.

  I cuffed them and walked them along with the two deputies to the squad cars in the station parking lot in the back.

  “I got some news just before I left the station,” Atkins said as he closed the back door of his car.

  I paused, confused, and then my heart started racing. “News? On Donovan?”

  “There was a reported sighting of him in Duluth yesterday.” Before I could ask, he said, “Turned out to be false. It was a guy who looked an awful lot like him. Practically a dead ringer for Page.”

  Damn. I wanted this guy off the streets and behind bars where he could rot for the rest of his life.

  “There’s more,” Atkins continued. “The guy says a woman asked him to pose as Donovan. She paid him to dye his hair and showed him a video of Page so the guy could walk the same way he does and mimic his mannerisms.”

  “Page is working with someone?” I concluded.

  “Sounds like it.”

  “There’s been nothing for months, and now this?” I didn’t like it. “Sounds like he’s getting ready to make a move.”

  “He might be close to Whispering Pines. Be on alert. I updated the APB and put out a BOLO to stations in the area.” He stared at me, his expression serious.

  “What?”

  “What’s going on with your deputy situation? If Page is getting ready to do something, you shouldn’t be dealing with it alone.”

  I thought of Jagger, Emery, Schmitty, and Elsa. I could always call on Tripp, Gino, and the renovation guys. There were also some witches around the village that woul
d be happy to help me take Donovan down.

  “Reed getting back into the game would be the best option,” I said, “but I’ve got other people I can call if necessary.”

  “And me. You know you can always call me.”

  “I do have your direct number now.” I forced a smile. “Don’t worry, I won’t take chances.”

  As they drove off, I went back into the station and could’ve sworn the front door was closing as I entered the main room, as though someone had just walked out. Jumpy now after the report on Donovan, I unholstered my Glock.

  “Is anyone in here?” I called out then waited a few seconds. “I repeat, is anyone in the station?”

  No answer. With weapon in hand, I checked the interview room first as it was closest to the back door. Empty. Then I checked our small restroom. It was also empty. Finally, I stepped into my office. No one was there, but there was a crisp white envelope lying on my desk that hadn’t been there before.

  Dammit! The guy had been in my station while I was standing out back a few feet away?

  I checked the front porch and scanned the surrounding tree line. Nothing. I locked the door and then checked behind the station. Also, nothing. I locked that door, returned my Glock to its holster, and rushed back to my office.

  Using the same procedures as before, I put on gloves, sliced open the envelope, slid out the card, and put it directly into an evidence bag. This time, there was a picture as well. It was of Tripp taken at Grapes, Grains, and Grub Thanksgiving night.

  Now I’m going to ruin yours.

  Chapter 23

  The four cards delivered a full message.

  I know what you did.

  You know what you did.

  You ruined my life.

  Now I’m going to ruin yours.

  This felt exactly like something Donovan would do. He’d been angry about how our father had abandoned him all those years ago. Gran had forbidden those villagers who knew what had happened to ever speak of the incident that resulted in Donovan’s mother’s death. Not a word. As far as the Whispering Pines history book was concerned, Priscilla Page died from a fall and her illegitimate son Donovan went to live with family. Poor parentless and forgotten Donovan targeted his anger on Gran.

  Her death had been an accident, but he had caused that accident and then covered it up. He figured he’d simply be able to get away with it, never expecting anyone would put the details together. Especially not me, a silly little girl playing at being sheriff. But I did put it together and ruined his chances at a cozy little life in Whispering Pines among the unaware villagers.

  Except, not all the villagers were clueless. A handful of the Originals knew the details surrounding the forbidden event. Flavia was one of them. Neither of them had admitted it, but I knew she had been in the house ten months ago, coaching Donovan on how to cover up Gran’s death. She had to be the woman who paid the man in Duluth to act as him.

  As I stared at the card on my desk, the picture he’d included with it came to the forefront. While I was sitting here, obsessing about Donovan Page, Tripp could be in danger.

  I raced out the back door and leapt into my SUV. As I shoved the gearshift into reverse, I realized, “Meeka.”

  Where was she? She had raced out the front door approximately fifteen minutes ago when I sent Kendra on her way, but she hadn’t come back in. Unless she snuck in when I opened the back door to escort Atkins and the others out. But I’d checked the entire station. She wasn’t in there.

  I got out of the vehicle and hollered, “Meeka?”

  While straining my ears for some kind of a response, I scanned the trees behind the station, silently pleading for her to emerge. Where was she? Did he have her? Would Donovan seriously take his revenge on me by attacking both the man I loved and the dog that was practically my heart? Of course he would. I attempted to call for her again, but my voice stuck, and my mouth was too dry for a whistle. I cleared my throat and then tried again. “Meeka, come!”

  This time, I heard a bark from the front of the building and nearly dropped to my knees. She rounded the corner to my left, running at full speed, clearly having heard the distress in my voice. She rushed to my side, and I plucked her up before she’d even come to a full stop.

  “Thank God,” I mumbled into her neck.

  I had to get myself together. If Tripp truly was in danger, I needed to be the sheriff, not Tripp’s hysterical girlfriend. On shaking legs, I reentered the station with Meeka in my arms and leaned against the wall to keep myself from falling. As I clutched my dog close, she leaned in to me, nuzzling her nose into my neck and helping me calm down.

  Once I was back in control, I did a mental inventory of what I’d need. I patted my gun holster, ensuring my Glock was in place, and checked my pockets to verify I had a set of zip cuffs. Donovan had big hands, though. I grabbed a second set of cuffs.

  “What am I doing?”

  Meeka whined in response, verifying that I couldn’t and shouldn’t try and deal with Donovan on my own. He’d been eluding law enforcement officers across the upper Midwest and parts of Canada for four months. This was no time to be a hero. I needed help but didn’t have time to explain the situation to Jagger or the others. I couldn’t risk spending time begging Reed for help only to have him say no. That left me with one choice. I picked up the phone and called Atkins to come back.

  “I’m only ten miles out of town,” he said. “I can’t come back with Stieber and Sundstrom in the back of my car.” He paused, debating what to do. Suddenly, I heard his siren wailing and assumed his lights were flashing. “Here’s the plan. I’ll drop them off and let Deputy Thomas deal with booking all three. I’ll call ahead and have them organize a team. We’ll be there as fast as possible. All right?”

  “Okay, sounds good.” I relaxed a bit knowing he’d be back.

  “One hour, tops. Stay where you are for one hour.”

  “No, I’ve got to get over to the B&B and make sure Tripp’s okay. Donovan threatened him, not me.”

  He hesitated before saying, “All right, but don’t go looking for Page alone.”

  “I won’t but I’ve got to go. I have to get over to Tripp.”

  Two minutes later, we were in the SUV and racing toward Pine Time. The speedometer said I was going too fast, but it felt like we were inching down the highway. I took the corner at the campground a little fast and almost ran off the road and into the shallow ditch. Meeka scolded me with a bark from the back. She was right, I couldn’t help Tripp if I got into an accident so slowed the vehicle a little. My racing heart calmed slightly when the garage came into view. Both Tripp’s F350 pickup and River’s Bentley SUV were parked there. Despite my earlier complaints about not seeing my boyfriend enough, I was suddenly grateful that the two spent so much time together.

  I burst in the front door and screamed, “Tripp?”

  Barking for him, Meeka ran to the kitchen, the place we almost always found him.

  The house was silent, though. They had to be upstairs in the attic. I took a few precious seconds and made a loop around the main floor, ensuring that all the doors and windows were locked, creating a false sense of security. If someone wanted to get in badly enough, it didn’t take anything to break a window or patio door.

  I looked down at Meeka. “Go find Tripp.”

  The Westie ran ahead of me up the stairs and straight for the attic. My legs were ready to give out as I closed in on the top of the attic stairs. I had to brace myself against the handrail, my knees buckling when I saw both Tripp and River working together to put the texture coat on the walls.

  “Jayne?” Tripp set down his spray gun and rushed to my side. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

  Nodding, I swallowed back the tears that wanted to burst free. I had to stay professional. I had to protect him.

  He helped me over to one of the folding chairs and gave me a bottle of water from a cooler in the corner. The cold liquid soothed my throat and allowed me a few seconds to get myse
lf together. Hiding the truth from someone was not the same thing as protecting them. In fact, keeping someone ignorant could have the opposite effect. I had to tell him what was going on.

  “Remember the card I got at the pub?”

  “I do.” After a half-second pause, he added, “Is this guy still after you? Did you get another one?”

  “I think I know who it is. Evan Atkins from the county station just told me that Donovan was spotted in Duluth. Except it wasn’t Donovan.”

  I relayed all the information as River came close, projecting an aura of calm.

  Tripp sprang to his feet from his crouched position next to me and started to pace. “What do you want to do? We can go somewhere and hide out until he’s caught. Is Atkins coming back?”

  “What I want,” I said as calm as he was panicked, “is for you and River to stay together at all times. I’m not sure if it would be best for you to stay here or go to Morgan’s place.”

  Tripp was shaking his head before I’d finished talking. “I’m not leaving you. If this guy is after you—”

  “He’s not after me.” I shuffled through the evidence bags and found the most recent delivery. I held the bag up with the open card facing him.

  “He’s going to ruin your life?” Tripp demanded. “Where the hell is he? I’ll tear him apart.”

  I turned the bag around so he could see the picture of himself and repeated, “He’s not after me. He’s planning to ruin my life by coming for you. I won’t let that happen. You need to either stay in this house with River or go somewhere where Donovan can’t find you.”

  He looked at me, mouth agape, like I was crazy. “You’re going to protect me?”

  I knew he didn’t mean it, but it came across as the same type of sexist comments I’d been hearing for the last three days. Little Jayne O’Shea. Isn’t she cute with her badge and her gun? Thinks she can save the world when she can’t even save this little village.

  “Protecting the public is my job. I know it’s hard for people to believe, but I do know what I’m doing. I want you to stay in this house or go to Morgan’s. Your choice.” I turned to River. “I know he’s worried about me, but I can take care of myself. I need to know you’re with him and ensuring his safety, so I’m not distracted and worrying about him. Can you do that for me?”